walking-orders

Definition

1. Noun (plural):
   • Dismissal from employment: "walking-orders" is an informal term meaning a notice of dismissal or termination from a job.
   • Rejection or expulsion: It can also refer to being told to leave a place or situation, often figuratively.

Usage Examples

• (They were told they were fired.)
• (He was dismissed from his position.)
• (She told him to leave or ended the relationship.)

Advanced Usage

• "to get walking-orders": To be fired or forced to leave.
  • The manager got walking-orders after the audit revealed mismanagement. (He was dismissed due to mistakes.)
• "to give someone walking-orders": To fire or expel someone.
  • The coach gave the player walking-orders for breaking team rules. (The player was removed from the team.)

Variants and Related Words

• Walking-papers (n, plural): A synonymous informal term meaning the same thing.
  • He was handed his walking-papers at the end of the month. (He received his termination notice.)
• Walking-ticket (n): Another variant with the same meaning.
  • She got her walking-ticket after the merger. (She was laid off.)

Synonyms

• Pink slip: A notice of dismissal from a job.
• The sack: Informal term for being fired.
• Notice: A formal warning of termination.

Related Idioms

• Get the boot: To be dismissed or expelled.
  • He got the boot for showing up late every day. (He was fired.)
• Show someone the door: To ask someone to leave, especially a job.
  • They showed him the door after the argument. (They fired him.)
• Give someone their cards: To terminate someone's employment.
  • The company gave several workers their cards last week. (They laid them off.)